Want to start saving for your dream trip? Here's how

Didn’t have a chance to meet your 2018 travel goals? No worries, soon you’ll have another 365 days around the sun to achieve your 2019 travel dreams.

But why wait until January to start saving? Cut back on the costly Christmas season today with a few easy tips and tricks to get you started.

DIY Gifts - It’s the thought that counts, right?

The easiest way to start saving is on gifts! Homemade presents are the easiest way to save some cash (and time shopping) over the holiday season. I’m sure you’re thinking, wait, I’m not that crafty, there’s no way I can give someone something homemade.

Don’t panic, there’s no need to have any art skills here! Pinterest will be your best friend and the ultimate DIY gift-giving website. No time to search through all the articles? Here’s a few of my favs.

Peppermint Bath Salts - Who doesn’t like a warm bath with the sweet smell of peppermint? Here’s an easy recipe to get your started! All you’ll need are some Epsom salts, rose hip or coconut oil, peppermint essential oil and some red sugar sprinkles.

Start a new tradition with customized ornaments - Imagine decking your tree each year and getting to relive a few great memories. Get this and more with DIY photo ornaments! All you’ll need is a few clear glass ball ornaments, some photos, a pencil and some ribbon! Extra tip: Once you start your travels, pick up an ornament wherever you go! Decking your tree will have a whole new meaning when you unpack each one of these memories.

Give the gift of motivation - While your 2019 goals may include travel, your friends and family may have a few other things in mind, like financial wellbeing, weight loss or just making better food choices. Help them along their way with a cute personalized notebook to journal and plan out their goals.

Choose memories, not things - Don’t be afraid to propose spending time together instead of gift giving. Making memories with those special people in your life is priceless! Start by organizing a Christmas movie night complete with hot cocoa and pajamas. You can add in a few themed games like Pictionary or create your own charades game with a few pieces of paper, pen and tape! Don’t have time to put together your own charades game? Try the Heads Up app!

Charity giving - Have a family with a lot of kids? Encourage everyone to pick a local charity and give gifts to them instead. This can be a great way to give back during the season, hang out together and make someone smile.

Gifts for boo - Not getting a gift for your sweet might dampen your Christmas spirit but will certainly save you some money! These gifts are usually the ones that will drain your pockets. Now you know your significant other better than I do, but one way to smooth over the situation is to invite them on your travel journey and set this goal together. It can become something that you both agree to do with each other and work towards!

Turn your night outs into night in - One great thing about the holidays can be the parties. Just like your gift-giving list, you’re going to have to pick and choose which ones fit your budget. If you want to get really aggressive, skip them all! Okay, okay, that might be difficult. But seriously, you got travel goals! This could be the year you decide to only check out house parties or free limes. If you’re afraid of catching FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) like me, pick one party that most of your friends will be attending and decide to only do that, no exceptions!

New Year's - Let’s not forget the ultimate fete for the year, New Years! Buy a bottle of bubbles and enjoy the free fireworks at a beach nearby with friends or your love as an alternative to a big fete.

Recycle your stuff and host a clothes swap party - If you decide to go hard and cut out all those fetes, you won’t need a new outfit right? Of course not! You’ll still need to have something fresh for that office party or family get together. A great way to save can be to reuse an old outfit from a few years back or host a clothes swap party with your friends. Ladies, this one is really easy, just call a few of your close girlfriends and start swapping to get the freshest outfit for your next big event!

Stay focussed - Don’t forget to stay focused! It’s easy to get sidetracked during the holiday season with people visiting and so much going on. Place a few photos on your bathroom mirror to help remind you of where you plan on being in 2019, you’ll see it every morning and night!